14ExecutiveCommittee Meeting Minutes

24/04/17 12:00-14:00

Item No /

Action

25 / Attendance
25.1Present
Grace Anderson / Education Officer
Shannon Doherty / FMS Postgraduate Rep
Thea Marakakis / Environmental and Community Rep
Precious Nwanze / Activities Officer (Chelmsford)
Leigh Rooney / President
Jamie Smith / Activities Officer (Cambridge)
Kathryn Younger / Welfare Officer
In Attendance
Megan Bennett / Democracy & Campaigns Co-ordinator
Daniel Login / Interim Head of Student Engagement
Georgia Elderkin / Minute Taker
Lindsey Steller / Wright State University Observer
Catherine Hernandiz / Wright State University Observer
Katie McGrath / Wright State University Observer
Jessica Baker / Wright State University Observer
Angie Loyd / Wright State University Observer
Kate Bumhoffer / Wright State University Observer
25.2Apologies
Mhajabin Anwar / ALSS Faculty Rep (Chelmsford)
Cariad Burgess / LAIBS Faculty Rep (Chelmsford)
Hannah Chan / LGBT+ Students’ Rep (Chelmsford)
Kathryn Dunnill / FMS Faculty Rep (Cambridge)
Nadia Graversen / Welfare Campaigns Rep (Cambridge)
Jane Green / Womens’ Rep (Chelmsford)
Marzia Hoque Tania / FST PGR Rep
Giovanna Mead / FHSCE Faculty Rep (Cambridge)
Jessica Ann Polaski / International Rep (Chelmsford)
Jamie Vincent / Trans* Students’ Rep (Cambridge)
25.3Absent
None
25.4Declaration of Interest
None
26 / Acceptance of Previous Minutes
26.1Accuracy
17 – JW should be SW.
18 – GA scheduled a meeting with Sarah Gradidgenot catering.
The minutes were accepted as a true record.
26.2Matters Arising
13 – LR & GA to contact teaching unions.
17 – LR to circulate an updated copy of the budget.
It was noted that the terms of reference has been updated. / LR/GA
LR
27 / Permanent items
27.1Executive officer reports
President - LR
  • Representation in Sport – An updated copy of the Strategic Partnership in Sport will be circulated shortly.
  • Space – the planning permission for Peter Taylor has been approved. Tindal is still in the process of being designed in further detail.
  • Officer Training – a new schedule for the officer hand over has been put together. JS will be shadowing LR in relevant meetings.
  • NUS National Conference – a mix of students and officers will be attending the conference from 25th -27th April 2017.
  • Recruiting for Deputy VC – the President will be invited to informally meet the candidates for the Deputy VC position before the interviews.
Education Officer - GA
  • Guarantor Scheme – due to the complexity of an ARU ran guarantor scheme GA is looking for more viable options such as: a partnership with Housing Hand. To update at next meeting.
  • Open Access – the improvements to open access are going ahead, GA is working on a timeline to pass on during officer hand overs.
Welfare Officer – KY
  • Sexual Respect – KY has published the recommendations on the website.
  • KY is looking for men to take part in a White Ribbon Campaign.
  • LGBT+ Registration – the University’s registration process has been updated to had more options for students to self-define including a free text box.
  • Disabled Students’ Guide – KY is reviewing the Disabled Students’ Guide put together by Alice Goodheart, this will be designed by our Graphic Designer.
Activities Officer (Cambridgeshire) – JS
  • Womens’ Only Hour – a stats based report has been put together on the successes, this will be released shortly.
  • Space – raised issues of lack of gaming software and space for students to practice at Compass House with Helen Valentine.
  • Grants – a presentation will be taken to Clubs & Societies Forum to be approved.
  • Commuters Survey – a survey has gone out to gather data on students’ who commute – the committee was encouraged to share it with as many students’ as possible.
  • Society elections – the elections for society committee members have taken place and were very successful.
Activities Officer (Chelmsford) - PN
  • International Orientation
  • Extra-Curricular Activities
  • Global Week
  • Lets’ Be Honest
  • Volunteering Week
For further details please see the officers’ individual reports.
27.2 Campaign Rep Reports
TM – Destressfest, TM has arranged relaxing events on campus to promote wellbeing and health during deadline and exam times. Including: meditation and bath bomb making. TM has also been working on improving the biodiversity trail on Chelmsford campus.
27.3 Faculty Rep Reports
No update.
27.4 PGR Rep Reports
SD - has been shortlisted for a SU Award and has been working on gaining 24/7 hour access to the labs for post graduate students.
28 / Campaigns
28.1 Lets’ Be Honest
GA presented the Lets’ Be Honest update. The mental health first aid training course was a success, 16 reps and committee members were trained and good feedback was received.
The first draft of the Lets’ Actually Be Honest report has been written and is currently being reviewed.
Destressfest is planned over the summer exam period to make students aware of the effects of long-term stress and anxiety on their health.
Filming for the Lets’ Be Honest Video is planned for Friday 29th April.
28.2 Ideas
Printing –a meeting with JK, GA and Jon Bouffler has been arrange, an update will be given at the next meeting.
Therapy animals – there will be an event with trained therapy animals during Destressfest, including racoons and meer cats.
Please see the Ideas update for further information.
28.3 Policies
Updates were given on the following policies:
  • Against NHS Cuts – KY has set up a campaign group, an update will be given at the next meeting.
  • Against Cuts to Education – No update.
  • Gender Neutral Toilets – KY will submit a paper to submit to the Estates and Facilities department.
  • KWAF – JS is updating the certificate to be signed by the VC at their next meeting.
  • Increased Equality for Vegan Students – a webpage has been set up.
  • More – GA compiled a poll to gather student feedback.
  • Save our Space - the planning permission for Peter Taylor has been approved. Tindal is still in the process of being designed in further detail.
  • TEF – GA urged the committee to contact their local MP to lobby for the amendments to the HE bill to be voted in.
  • Up your Grants – No update.
  • Liberating the Curriculum – No update.
  • Sensible Drugs – No update.

29 / 29.1 Budget
LR verbally updated the meeting on the budget.
LR to circulate an updated copy of the budget. / LR
29 / Items for Discussion
29.1Deal for Student Parents and Carers
In December 2015,following the closure of the nursery, the Students’ Union campaigned for the New Deal for Student Parents. This consisted of fourteen points we wanted ARU to take action on. For more details please read this article:

29.2 Books+ Update
At the beginning of the year the Union was told that international students and PGR students will be receiving the books+ scheme from September 2017. Julie Walking has revealed that only postgraduate taught students will be receiving books+. GA has requested that Julie released a statement of apology to students who have been given wrong information.
29.3 General Election
GA presented the plans for the general election campaign. There will be tables on both campuses with promotional material where students can register to vote.
GA is organising a political hustings on campus to encourage students to question and interact with the local MPs.
29.4 Framework for Student Academic Partnership
GA presented the framework for student academic partnership which describes current and potential opportunities to embed student partnership in all areas of curriculum, ‘enabling students to be effective and fully engaged partners in as many of our academic processes as possible’ (ARU 2015).
GA actioned the committee to email any feedback to her. / ALL
30 / Any Other Business
A bye election will take place to fill the following vacant positions:
Faculty Reps
•ALSS Faculty Rep (Cambridge)
•FHSCE Faculty Rep (Peterborough)
Campaign Reps
•Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) Students’ Rep (Cambridge)
•Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) Students’ Rep (Chelmsford)
•Disabled Students’ Rep (Chelmsford)
•International Rep (Chelmsford)
•Trans* Students' Rep (Chelmsford)
Date and Time of next meeting:
1pm-4pm, Wednesday 31 May

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